Sunday 10 July 2016

By Margaret Jeferson


Before Illinois became a State, it was known as the Illinois Territory. In early 1818, the General Assembly of the Illinois Territory sent a petition to the United States Congress asking to be admitted into the Union. Part of the process for being admitted as a State was for Illinois to adopt its own constitution.

The word Illinois comes from the French word meaning Illini or Land of Illini. It is an Algonquin word meaning Men or Warriors. Illinois was discovered in 1673, settled in 1720 and entered the Union on December 3, 1818. Illinois is surrounded by bodies of water on nearly every border: the Mississippi River on the west; the Ohio and Wabash Rivers in the south, and Lake Michigan in the North.

There had been 2 state banners for Illinois. The plan of the Illinois Flag was allocated in 1915, as a consequence of the state pennant planning effort by Mrs. Ella Park Lawrence. Next in 1868, the strip was changed to give more conspicuousness to the National Union, than State Sovereignty. The last alteration of the Illinois Flag was done in 1970 when the state name was presented.

The state seal as seen on the Illinois Flag was enlivened from the US seal, accordingly, the bald eagle remains for the United States. The 13 stars and 13 stripes symbolize the 13 unique provinces of the US, in this way communicating the fidelity of Illinois to the US. The year 1868 is the year when the Illinois state seal was given another plan while 1818 uncovers the year when Illinois achieved statehood. The water body exhibit on the seal is an image of Lake Michigan, one of the 5 Great Lakes. The land revolving around the stone speaks of the prolific Prairie soil.

The state seal as seen on the Illinois Flag was inspired from the US seal, thus, the bald eagle stands for the United States. The 13 stars and 13 stripes symbolize the 13 original colonies of the US, thereby expressing the allegiance of Illinois to the US. The year 1868 is the year when the Illinois state seal was given a new design, whereas 1818 reveals the year when Illinois attained statehood. The water body present on the seal is a symbol of Lake Michigan, one of the 5 Great Lakes. The land circling the rock represents the fertile Prairie soil.

There is a barrage of cheap and inferior Illinois flags being imported and sold, that do not comply with the flag statute. This is bad for a number of reasons. Imported flags are cheaply made and more importantly, the designs, materials, colors, and methods of printing do not compare well with the better quality, longer-lasting, and correctly designed flags made by American manufacturers. The Flag Company Inc specialized in flag designs offered a special edition of decals and flags to memorize the history of Illinois flag for the future.




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